Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1887-01-18

Governor william Sprsgue, of Rhode
island, was the richest aud best known
man OF his years then In pogiic life. lie
had been enthusiastic In his devotion a.
the country AZ the beginning OF the var.
lie kai raised and equipped The FrstR T. /
acknowledgements BY Col. (sftsrwsrd
MsJ Gen. Burnsids-at bis own expense,
though he WAS reimbursed q year OF two
thereafter by the u. \ and his zeal and
10y atty were In the mOaihs OF each member
OF the Cabinet and known 10 every man
Who loved bis country. Lincoln made hin
Brigadisr General Ia 1901, bat Sprsgne
frankly told him be could not accept IT,
lie said be bad not Sufficient military
knowledge to assume the re-pon slbilities
OF general ofieer. and that be thought be
could DO the country and his State more
real service by his assistance a. home than
would be possible In the Geld. A year or
two thereafter he Was elected 20 the u. y.
Senate, the youngest man who ever at
tanned 90 high an honor. Young, hand
some, very rich, and holding An exception
Al position In American politics, Governor
Sprague Was the NOS. notable man OF bis
yesrs In the Rspabllc. lie met Miss Chase.
and OF course was attracted by her, and
then bis Interest grew deeper. Olthe court
ship bat little can be sald for little Is known.
This IL certain, however Miss Chase took
the matter very carefully under considers
ton before she permitted Gov. Sprsgue 10
pay her any attention. An old friend OF her
father, Hiram Barney, Was Collector OF the
Port ofS.Y. lie suggested The marriage 10
Miss Chsse. and believe presented Gov.
Sprsgue 10 her, bat OF that cannot be sure.
know tie first time she ever saw Der to-be
husband she was not very fAyorAbly impress.
sed with him. IL was In the summer OF is62.
She and her father were at thew bite House.
both talking TO Mr.. Lincoln, when young
man was admitted. lie wore the blue blouse
OF private soldier, and blue trousers much
the worse for wear. A pair OF soldiers shoes
with heavy. coarse wooden socks showing
between trousers and shoes, completed the
attire OF the young man. She heard him
cay, Il have just come from the Army
who IL that Miss Chase inquired. who
seems 10 know the President 90 wellf' 1t
IL the most famous man Of bis years In
Americs, VIM. sprsgue OF X : her father
answered" -
"So woman In America ever had such e.
reer AZ did Mrs. rprsgue. Beautiful. very rich.
clever beyond any woman OF her period. chs
vas . power In politics. aud bot Cor the msrest
clip would have made . President IN isss. shs
member seeing lace overfress that coat tls..
60 In Paris. With all his faults. and he had
many, william sprngue vas not close OF mean
with his money. lie made Q handsome per
sonAl settlement upon his wife when he mar
Red her. which believed she returned 10 The
sprague estate when n became embarrassed.
sav her the other day. Though abe shows che
has sunered. and u more mstronly. she stiil
F~f nm M ~ ~ - E.f
graceful dignity that vas never exoelled by any
woman Of her Tina. she IL young ret. compsr
atlyeiy. but her life IL lived she II Wrapped mp
never knew. With her ambition IL endesi. en-.
cept for her daughters. she held position IN
America that Vas distinctiveiy her own. . DO.
And nov shs comes bach % the scenes OF her
ufumphs ~ one may revisit the vacant ball.
room when the lights are oot, and nothing TO
mains but the memories Of what Il vas-